Cats cradle is essentially all about lying, especially lying in religion. In the story, Kurt Vonnegut shows how both science and religion are essentially lies, and it makes you think if there are any truths. I think that the story shows how people are so desperate to find some truth, that they cling to things, even though they know its not true. People especially cling to religion for truths, and that’s something I think the author finds ridiculous, and he mocks. For example, the fictional religion of Bokononism is based all on lies, yet the people who follow it seem completely content with this fact. The religion of Bokononism has its own strange vocabulary, which almost makes fun of the many words in Christianity. Karass, Sinookas, Foma, Wampeter…and so on and so on. These words sound ridiculous, but because they are in reference to a religion they are suppose to be respected. In this sense I feel like Vonnegut made is false religion a parody of Christianity. He constantly teases Christianity in the book, and when John’s Karass arrives in San Lorenzo, Hazel says "I'm sure glad it's a Christian country or I'd be a little scared" (96) Hazel however, obviously is not a Christian, and it seems ironic he feels safe in this religion that is not even his own.
This whole blind faith brings up an interesting point, is it wrong to manipulate the truth to perhaps do good? It makes me think of the famous Little White Lie, known as a Foma in Cats Cradle. The fact that the lie itself is white is kind of an analogy for how its good, is a sort of angelic lie. Is it wrong to tell little lies, if it’s going to make something or someone felt, look or act better? Manipulating the truth can bring big consequences, but overall it would seem that small lies are good.
I have to stop and wonder if Bokonon is a hypocrite. He's against religion and the truth yet he created a religion that people could believe in. Bokononism does not try to decieve it's followers --- it gives a forewarning and lets you know that everthing is a lie. But how can one sincerely follow a way of life knowing that it's all false. By following Bokononism and living by it's rules, aren't you unknowingly giving into the belief that it's true? I don't know if I'm making sense or not but it confuses me because I sometimes feel as if Bokonon contracicts himself by giving people something to believe in that's a lie.
ReplyDeleteNice interpretation of the "white lie" as being at once problematic and angelic. I think this gets directly at the heart of Vonnegut's satire. It's interesting that so many of your peers' posts (yours included) treat the issue of Vonnegut mocking religion, specifically Christianity. Might this not reveal a need in ourselves to preserve our belief in a 'true' religion?
ReplyDeleteAlso, watch for some typos, such as "it's" versus "its." And, it is Hazel who is obviously not a Christian? Or did you mean Vonnegut? John?
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